Happy Post: Summer 2011- Recipes for Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day. The last long weekend of summer is here. Can someone please tell me where the time went? This summer flew by in one big whoosh. Now we are about to welcome fall. My daughter is back in school and my son waits in the wings for pre-school to start next week. With a long 3 day weekend ahead, lots of folks will be grilling, entertaining guests and embracing the abundance of late summer garden fresh ingredients.

I am thrilled to share a tasty re-cap of what summer was to us…in a Happy Post. I have made it so you can add links from your blog, posts that inspire you. Whatever you like, does not have to be food. Simply happy inspiration that you want to share with us.

Let’s spread the *happy*

Summer was plentiful, abundant and filled with life long memories. We were in Telluride for many weeks and it hurt to leave. My true spirit thrives in those mountains. Perhaps we will live there full time some day. A girl can dream right? Admittedly I need to find my groove back here in the OC. CO taps into my creative spirit and helps me find my center.

It is a place where this Energizer Bunny can beat her drum with pride.

Gotta admit I hardly had a clue as to what Labor Day actually celebrates.

Wikipedia always helps with the unknown. Here goes: “Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. In high society, Labor Day is (or was) considered the last day of the year when it is fashionable for women to wear white”

All kinds of skewered food were smokin’ this summer. Perhaps it was my buddies Matt and Adam’s book On A Stick that made all foods served on a stick ultra HOT. That book is really amazing, if you don’t already have it you must.

Were you around this summer for the 6 week Get Grillin’ I hosted with Cookin’ Canuck? Gosh was that fun.We grilled & grilled then grilled some more. We loved sharing recipes with you and we LOVED those you shared with us.

I hope you like all nibbles from out summer. Hopefully you can sample them some day.

Here’s to a delightful long weekend and a nod to the cooler seasons ahead. My personal favorite time of year. I was at the beach one time this summer (I live within 10 miles of it) Does that tell you how much I crave and adore the mountains?

Remember my lick of fall in the heat of summer in early August? If you are a fan of pumpkin I believe you will love these Pumpkin Pie Popsicles.

What are some of your favorite summer memories? Do you celebrate through food too? I have a sneaky feeling you do….

Link up your favorite summer recipes or whatever made you *happy* from the past few months. Be sure to link back to this postorFamily Fresh Cooking you can also add my Happy Post Badge below to your submitted post. Let’s spread the HAPPY. I will share a re-cap of some of those on Monday.

Here is the badge, and code to add it to your blog (You can also find it on my my badges page shortly)

What a stunning post Marla – love all these ‘happy’ summer foods. So glad you were able to get away this summer with your family and find your center. We all need that at least once a year before we delve back into the school year. Hope your kids get off to a smooth start this school year!

Jeanette, I cannot believe school is here. I am clinging to the more relaxing days of summer. Glad you like the re-cap. I so enjoyed reading your posts on your family trip to Hawaii. Such special moments & memories you created. I have learned so much about that region from your posts. I love the new ingredients you share with us. Fun to travel the world through my blog pals
Hope you are doing OK with your son in college. That is a HUGE challenge for any mom… xxoo

Amanda, ya think? Coming from you that means a lot. We’ll see what pops up down the road. It better be a sweet offer…would love to write & shoot a book. Perhaps some day. What I want to see? Your book!!

Marla your photos are so incredible! Bon appetite and gourmet magazine will be knocking on your door one day very soon!
You are so talented my energizer bunny friend! So many beautiful and delicious memories of summer.

Marla,
What a wonderful happy post!!! I love the beautiful photo at the top of the three of you, all in navy blue. There were probably 4 of you with Ross behind the camera.

What makes people happy? That question reminds me of the sweet children’s book “Claire and Capricorn the unicorn”. Funny how in that storybook she can’t answer the question what makes people happy, but decides she can answer what makes her happy for breakfast. It is really is all about the food isn’t it? Well that and a few other impt things like family, friends, laughing (a lot), faith, hope, & love, seeing pure beauty and bringing beauty to this world using your own special gifts. Thanks for providing lots of those happiness’ to so many people, especially me. :-)) xoxo, Andrea

Hi Andrea. Miss you so my friend! I hope you have been having an amazing summer. Not the same in these parts without your family around. The summer was a blast. Especially the T-Ride part (but that goes without saying, right?!) You are correct, Ross is behind the camera. I have some of him & the kids on that rock that I will post in a Telluride re-cap post. Gotta have that post on it’s own. Soooo many photos!
I have never seen the book you mention “Claire and Capricorn the Unicorn” I must get my hands on it. Sounds wonderful. I am with Claire….I can always share what makes me happy for breakfast even when I am in a bad mood. That alone puts a smile on my face. Here’s to lifes simple pleasures!
Love what you say about beauty, special gifts, love, laughter…..all of it. I feel so blessed each & every day. Gotta always reach for the soul within to stay smiling xxoo
By the way…even though we have not spoken on the phone in a long time, it is so nice to know we are connected. Always.

Bev, please don’t unhinge your jaw. Then you could never eat again….girl you crack me up. So glad you like the summer abundance over here. I need to dash one to your place to see what you are cooking up. Always great eats over there!

I know that you truly LIVED life this summer with your kids and cherished as many of the small moments as humanly possible. You truly walked the walk. Spending time with them, being there for your family, being together, you did it.

You are my inspiration and reminder to do more with my family, be more present mentally; be more attentive, and just savor each and every detail…more. We all do our best but when I see you…I just say, THAT’S an amazing mother

Thank you for this reminder and I love the Happy Spreading. I linked up to a recipe that makes me really happy: White Chocolate Vanilla Marshmallow Cake Bars!

Seriously Averie, those are the kindest and most beautiful words. Thank you. Very touched
We are such busy moms and hard workers. It is so hard to find the balance sometimes. I guess we all need to do our best. You are an amazing woman & mom….don’t ever forget that, deal? I know you nurture that little gal of yours with everything you’ve got. I try each day to be there for my kids as much as possible. The one thing they wish for: me to get that GIANT 24-70 lens out of their faces. They are off put by the constant paparazzi~their mom
Does Skylar feel the same way?

I’m glad you had a wonderful summer. It’s true the summer days go by so quickly, then it’s time to get the kids off to school and ready for fall. Thanks for the inspiration with all these lovely recipes for the holiday weekend barbecues!

Hi Marla! Ohhh I’m really impressed with the all these recipes and photos of your food!!!! Everything looks delicious. Very colorful and healthy. Thanks for inviting me for the Happy Post. Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Hiya, and thanks for dropping by on my blog. You have a gorgeous space out here, and I am so impressed. I’ve linked up my Evan’s Cherry Drizzle for the happy post, and yes that day really did make me very happy Cheers! Michelle

Marla, all of your recipes look wonderful and very appropriate for a “Happy Post”! I am ALL over that chocolate obsession!
Thanks for stopping by 365! I’ve added my Samoas to today’s post! Cookies always make me happy and doing the SRC has been so much fun!

Marla I just want to say that I can’t think of a food blog out there that spreads as much “happy” as yours. It always gives me a boost each and every time I look at your blog. Your sweet little family, your food, and YOU make the world a brighter place!

Luuuuurrrrvve this post seriously, I know what you mean about your true spirit living elsewhere, I feel like that pretty much all the time. I belong on the ocean and now I’m starting to realize the mountains too. But ho hum…I have to figure out how to thrive right where I’m at

What a fantastic round up of good food! Love the pic of you and your kiddos!!

Hi Maria, thank you so much for introducing me to this wonderful space!, what a beautiful blog you have, so looks Summer, making me feel so delighted to see your lovely clicks I am so happy to be with you in SRC, I have linked my recipes to your Happy post. It has taken my name. will be visiting you often to check out your recipes

Hi Kimby. I am sorry you missed the link up too. Next time I will try to post it the night before so there is more time to link up. I will run a Happy Post every 2 weeks or so. Maybe more…we’ll see. Gotta work on a master posting calendar.